Wichita eagle., 1887-05-06

| Belle thought he was so kind and intellectual;
he was so everything one would wish for in a
| friend, that she was afraid she would love MN
herself; there was such q strange, sweet fasca-
| nation In that musical voice Of his for her.
that Belle was yielding her heart to It's power.
And Tom, he haunted her steps; she went
into the garden he came presently on some
pretext: il she chose to read her book in the
narlor he was there, but not obtrusively. IF
hold half the fascination for him that his
splendid voice does for me, he can't help 1t,
she thought.
But, after all. there was something mysteri-
Gus about handsome Tom Burnaby; often
when she looked up from her book she found
him looking at her in such an earnest, sorrow-
full way tina. instincrively she pitled him, but
for what she could not have told; sometimes
his eyes held such curious questioning that
she felt uncomfortable.
School was out at last, and she would re-
turn home the next day; they were on the
long piazza together. Belle and Tom, watching
the rcindrops beat on the roses running over
the lattice wark.
Il have never shown you my box OF specl-
mems, have Ig7 he questioned with a great
effort, in changing the subject abruptly for
purpose.
sNo.n
Then l will bring them," and he went IN;
Belle followed
Let US go into the parlor: there Is no one
there to interrupt and she followed On into
the room where they had spent their last
hs.ppy evening together: she became intensely
interested in the fine collection, and the color
l., L. 60 lie hon f3rp Kplke was
looking in the box: down under piece OF
quartz something was cleaning brightly.
"Nhat is this!' she asked, making a dive,
aud securing the shining object by the time
Sue finished her question
On. an old sleeve button Of mine, an
swered Tom, but Belle scarcely heard him;
cod sensation went over her. ours' SIG
cr:ls,s d where is the other one!
Il have lost it," he said, busy trying 10 ar
range some specimens, and not notcln2 tho
hook of pain and horror creeping mo hef
face.
Chr she answered in voice CAIN enough,
bat she felt as if she must be dying. IL an
came to her now, and she knew why MS
musical voice impressed her as fanlllar anu
the sleeve button rough, corrugated, as tie
other, as the lost one, which was at tna1 mo
rrenc in her pocket: Tom and the roooer were
,.ry, The room whirled around and grew
dark; a sharp pain WIS at her heart, ana sue
threw I'D her hands with an agonlzed cry
oh, Tom Burnaby"
NJ God! Miss Norton, what Is the mat
terI exclaimed the terrified man. Oh!
Belle, are you ill-dear!' he whispered with
his fine voice all a-tremble, but she did not
reply.
IL, took the dazed girl in his arms and
kissed her white face "Ohl to be thus ever
near"
Don't she said in strange, sad way
ssrou have killed me, believe
why, Belle-Miss Norton, l would not
harm Won for worlds-God know love you
better than my life" the musical tones rang
with n passionate tenderness, and he opened
his arms, saying: 'Come, please"
"Too lator' she moaned, too late, Tom
Durnaby; here" and she put the lost sleeve
button in his hand. A perplexed, PANIED look
swept over his fine features, and he asked, In
a puzzled way:
where did you find it, Miss Nortons"
an the coach that night" she answered,
hoa.sely, covering her face with icy hands.
Tom Burnaby staggered to his feet
4Oh, NV God!" he moaned in agony OF
soul, 1t is all over with Inc now" he reeieo
to a corner and covered down like hunted
animal.
Belle went over to him presently, and lad
her hand on his arm; he was trembling Vio-
lently. arm,
@Tom!r she said, trying to be calm, LII
never tell any one"
"Goi bless you, knew you would not ou1
what is Imprisonment and death to losing
YOU. Bell. that nights work stands between
NV happiness and heaven; and yours too,
fer YOU said had killed you, love-"
He took her hand, and she felt his tears on
her nalm. and his words of an hour before
required TO her.
@lIy punishment is terrible" he continued;
avou viii soon 90 away, never to return-and
how viii YOU remember me, BELIEF
with nityins love-" she said; my idol is
shattered"
In a moment more he was gone. She heard
him go I'D stairs with q heavy, uncertain step.
Poor Tom.7 she said, show he suffers"
II was tine to 90; her trunk had been car
ried out and Belle stood bidding good-oy TO
good old Mrs Burnaby- I'm sorry you
couldn't love Tom," said his mother. breaking
down
@Oh. Mrs. BurnabyI l do love him, and it's
killing me, too; you don't know-no, you VIII
never knowl" and Belle fed from the house In
sheer desperation.
vt the gate boy gave her package
Torn Burnaby said was to give you this
ere said the urchin, and she took it me
chemically.
Rattle, clatter, jolt, and the numbering
stag-e was on the road "Good-by, Burma
t,v.n sobbed the one desolate passenger; 1T
didn't end well, either Then it occurred to
her t. see what was in the package.
She drew it forth and tore off the wrapper,
disclosing an elegant watch case. With tTeni-
bling fingers she opened the case, when 10!
there was her long lost watch, ticking mer-
rily on as if nothing had happened since she
last looked on its bright face Under the
watch was a note from Tom, which said:
-DEIIE DEAR-I have made all the repara-
ten ii my power, and l promise herein to
staadfastly lead an honorable life hereafter,
because you loved me once. With plying
love. remember me- ToN BURSABY."
Five years have passed since that summer
az Burna.by, but Belle never looks at her
waach W sees the numbering old stage c,rne
down truln over the range but what she
;hiy.ls, with plying love-" of poor, broken
hearted Tom Burnaby L. Croker
III Nsw York Mercury.
Reformation OF Criminals.
The English people have wiped out OF their
sta u hooks multitude of savage laws and
tsaIlalties No renalty has in it any benefit